The Young and the Restless

 

 

POINT TO PONDER

 

“All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” 

 

                                            - Pablo Picasso

 

Isn’t the same thing true about employees?  New employees come with good credentials, enthusiasm, ambition, high hopes and many with a lot of passion. The challenge is how to keep up those qualities once they get melded in/sucked in to the organization’s systems for a few years.

 

 

STORY LINE

 

A few weeks ago, I received one very touching and wonderful email (rarely seen such nice note) from a supervisor about the employee who was leaving the company. The note mentioned about significant contributions of this person, many beyond the normal job scope. It also stated the high value that the customer, partners and peers saw in this employee. The person’s “can do” attitude, high energy and enthusiasm had influenced and impressed whoever had interacted with her (me included). It was clear from the note that this person had made a big impact on whatever or whomever she had dealt with. I read the note over and over again until it dawned on me that this person that the supervisor wrote such a nice note was with the company for only 20 months (out of school). Now that made it even more powerful that in such a short time the person had made such an impact.

 

In my 35 years career, I too have been fortunate to have coached and managed many employees like one mentioned above. My experience with such employees is that  they are not motivated by money or by positions, but more with constantly new challenges, trust in them to carry on big tasks (not treat them like kids or starters), reinforce their value to the company and provide occasional guidance. They are self-starters and as supervisor/coach one needs to just keep raising the bar. Some will stay some will move on (nothing personal, just that their reach may be farther than what current environment can offer) but whatever time they spent, they will make a big impact, enlighten and inspire others around them. In the words of Friedrich Nietzsche, The surest way to corrupt such a person is to instruct him/her to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently. Give them freedom, trust and encouraging feedback about their value and create a culture where they will thrive.

 

 

REFLECTION

 

From Pablo Picasso quote  (applies to any Young* and Restless)

Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that will never be again. And what do we teach our children? We teach them that two and two make four, and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are? We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel? You must work, we must all work, to make the world worthy of its children.

 

*young applies to both in age and mentally young.

 

One of the many stories I have covered in previous FRs.

 

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2007/07/last-i-heard-we.html

Comments

[sk]

Thank You for continued inspirational stories.

[Austrian Friend]

you made another Friday, a very valuable one, with that story :-)

Thanks

Best Regards,

[Tek]

This is big company way;
The surest way to corrupt a such person is to instruct him/her to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.
How to change?

[Bobby]

Inspiring post Anand!
Right now I am in a mode when I can't help but feel that respect is the main thing an employee looks for more than monetary benefits, but I realize these things may not be under my control. The more I try to control, the more stress I experience when some things don't go my way. Taking life as it comes seems to be the best thing to do. I feel (for myself at least), at any given time, it is very important to figure out what the definition of happiness is. After that, it is important to figure out what are the primary factors that bring the most happiness and satisfaction and figure out a way to stay in that mode. It is very interesting to see how my thought process continues to evolve and how that elusive happiness factor evolves. A few months after I started work, I contemplated about this. Sometimes, family and other personal worldly wishes makes me wonder if it is money that really makes me happy, but way too many experiences and situations proved otherwise. Money does not make my happy when I have it, but might make me sad when I don't. So money is important, but surely it is not the primary factor. Then I felt maybe it was the opportunity to work with cutting edge technology that is the single most driving factor, but I realized I get bored easily and what was awesome last year is not awesome this year. Then I realized I am getting a lot of satisfaction in being able to solve a problem in the most efficient manner. There may be a lot of ways to solve a problem, but there is some sort of a 'kick' in being able to figure out what works for the situation I am in. I guess it is not the solving problems that makes me happy, but the process of solving them. What is really interesting is the process of experimenting and learning different ways to solve a problem and then being thankful that I somehow have the ability to judge what is efficient and what is not - what is practical and what is not. And in the whole process when I realize I have created something others can use, it brings satisfaction. Some days I feel good when I realize that I am actually feeling more happy and satisfied for planting seeds as opposed to reaping my harvest!

[Y&R from a distant land]

Thanks for sharing this…

I will always believe it’s 2-way feedback like chemical reaction - no matter how good the person is – he/she will still need an opportunity to shine, this opportunity will be only given by someone who appreciate his/her talent and willing to put trust in.  

After reading this quote, I have a lot of feeling, recently I suggested improvement ideas that were turned down. Initially, I was kind of mad and think I should have not wasted so much time in doing all these ideas preparation and discussion, should just stay with the old way we do business.
Of course, after a while, I sat back and thought about it – I should not accept rejection since I’m new, I should continue to throw in more possibilities – and wait for right time and get them implemented sometime in future… begin with beginner’s luck and only end with victor’s being tested. (steal from original quote by Paulo Coelho: Every search begins with beginner's luck. And every search ends with the victor's being severely tested.)

“Isn’t the same thing true about employees? New employees come with good credentials, enthusiasm, ambition, high hopes and many with a lot of passion. The challenge is how to keep up those qualities once they get melded in/sucked in to the organization’s systems for a few years.”

Lastly, I love this quote very much, trust that given by you is the best encouraging feedback.“The surest way to corrupt a such person is to instruct him/her to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently. Give them freedom, trust and encouraging feedback about their value and create a culture where they will thrive.”

[BHSC]

Words of wisdom, my friend.. thank you for sharing. It gives me some ideas on what to say to my kids this weekend.

Thank you

[a friend from China]

Though I haven’t had much interaction with her at work, I can tell how it is like from the way she treat friendship. The day you introduced us to each other, she invited me over and I had the dinner together with her and her hubby! Had a wonderful time there, she’s exactly the type of person who is proactive and will always go extra miles to make others feel warm and I remember her smiling face still. I know she’s gonna move on, as she’s eager to find the next chapter of career life that would unleash more of her potential. Good for her!!

[Happy]

Thank you!! This is such a big compliment! I think I'm gifted with energy and positive attitude. I will apply that to work and life to influence people around me. :)

[Kaka dog]

In a constant environment people grows faster and ages faster, some motivation helps people keep curiosity and enthusiasm, but question will be how long can it can last in an almost unchanged environment, let us say, a big company?